"Foster, Alan Dean - Damned 2 - The False Mirror" - читать интересную книгу автора (Foster Alan Dean)

and many honors gave him stature. Indeed, it was unusual for so experienced a
soldier to be assigned to teach younger age levels. From the time they were old
enough to understand such things, Ranji and his companions were conscious of
their great luck in havнing Kouuad as their teacher.
Kouuad-iel-an's field career had been brought to an early and untimely end by a
severe injury which not even the best physicians had been able to completely
repair. It was rumored that he had suffered the damage in hand-to-hand combat,
with one of the most vicious of the monsters themнselves. His fellow teachers
held him in some awe. The effect of his reputation on his pupils was profound.
It was mentioned that access to such an extraordinary instructor gave the
trainees of Ciilpaan an unfair advantage over the others in their age cluster.
All such protests were disallowed by the officials. It was the trainees who took
the tests, not their teacher. As for Ranji and his friends, they were more than
willing to credit Kouuad for much of their success.
"I warn you now," the venerable soldier told them. one morning when they had
assembled for practice. "Hitherto you have run over, around, and through your
opposition.
But this is no mere township exercise approaching. These are your cluster's
planetary finals. Career success can be guaranteed in a few days. The trainees
of Kizzmat know this. You need to ponder it as well.
"Remember that their record is as proud as yours. They will not go down easily.
I have seen recordings of them in action. They are tougher and more resourceful
than any group you have yet confronted." Kouuad paced back and forth in front of
the large-screen simulator.
"Do not let your successes go to your heads. Everything you have achieved in
your lives to date is history. All your accomplishments lie in the past. Only
this forthcoming confrontation matters. Everything else is dust. That is as true
of real combat as of simulated.
'.Realize, too, that even as I speak thus to you, they are receiving similar
advice, they will be equally well preнpared. " He stopped and smiled proudly,
squinting through aged eyes that had seen too much death.
"You have met every challenge thrown at you. All that remains is your cluster
championship for all Cossuut. Bear in mind that beyond this lies actual combat
against the monsters. If you can advance that day in your minds and approach
this competition as if actual warfare were inнvolved, I think you will do well.
Realize that you compete not for pride or prize, but to preserve civilization."
Amusement suffused his expression.
"There is nothing wrong with winning a prize, though. The record of your
performance, both individually and as a group, will become a matter of
permanence. You want that record to be approving. -
"Don't worry, honored teacher," said an enthusiastic Bielon. "We intend to win."
Murmurs of agreement rose from those around her.
"What about the Kizzmatis' methods?" came a quesнtion from the back row.
" Yes," said another. "How do they differ from what we have encountered so far?
"
"Strategically we do not know what to expect, " Kouuad explained. "Their tactics
are unpredictable. That has been one of their greatest strengths, as it has been
one of yours. They are famous improvisers, swift and decisive. Those of you who
are squad leaders will therefore accrue addiнtional burdens in the field. The
rest of you must obey your leaders' instructions implicitly. There will be no